ReNew

The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly accelerated the role of digital technology in business. As many as 75% of individuals who used digital platforms for the first-time during COVID-19 plan to continue these digital activities in the long-term. Despite this shift towards digital selling and purchasing, 45.2% of small businesses in Virginia still do not use online platforms to offer goods or services.  

The ReLaunch ReNew initiative strengthens the digital footprint of small businesses in Arlington by ensuring their technology is secure, effective and instills a robust online presence. Through ReNew, a cohort of eligible small businesses will receive a technology assessment by Amazon Web Service (AWS) partners in collaboration with Arlington. Depending on the specific needs of each businesses eligible applicants could receive a website update, best digital practices for efficiency and cybersecurity as well as online tools for the businesses to be found online. Services also include eCommerce tools and more. 

Note – If selected, Arlington County will pay for the base fees of developing an online Website, and associated monthly maintenance fees until close of business December 31, 2021.  If you have been selected for an eCommerce platform tool Arlington County will pay the base fees and monthly maintenance fees until close of business December 31, 2021.
 

ReNew Eligibility Requirements: 

To be eligible to participate in the ReLaunch ReNew initiative a business must: 

• be located in Arlington County; 
• have fewer than 50 employees at the Arlington location; 
• a 2020 or 2021 Arlington Business License; 
• operate as a business in Arlington within at least the last 6 months 

The following businesses are ineligible to apply: 

• Franchise businesses, except for those franchises which are locally owned and operated; 
• Businesses that are engaged in illegal activities; or 

• Government entities, including political divisions of the Commonwealth. 

Rolling Application Process 

• The ReLaunch Team will verify your submitted information and then recommend a business to be entered into the monthly lottery. 
• If your business is selected the BizLaunch Team will notify of next steps the business will need to take. 
• If the business is eligible and not randomly selected your business name will roll to the next month up through December 2021 or until all of the funds are utilized. 
• If the business is ineligible you will receive a notification.  

Additional Tools to Launch Online

Check out our kick off webinar from January 27, 2021 with Amazon Web Services, to learn how you to receive free technical assistance to implement technology in your small business. 

ReLaunchARL: Build Your Website and Sell on Amazon.com 

In this program, you'll hear from experts on how to reach new customers through Amazon.com as well as the tools to take your storefront online. 

Join us for our upcoming ReLaunchARL series to learn how you can leverage the cloud to implement transformational solutions in your business:

• Cancelled - ReLaunchARL: Work Securely Anywhere - February 24, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
• ReLaunchARL: Securely Storing and Protecting Your Data - March 10, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.